LMS VII: The Gateway To The Kingdom

LMS VII - Week 11 (August 24-30, 2026); Word count: 1059 words

Warmness was also present inside the radiating comfort that was with both of them. Their hearts and spirits were warmed, their beings renewed. They’ve felt gratitude. They couldn’t say what for. There were many reasons. It was there, inside of them, pouring out through their connection. It wasn’t the right moment for explanation of that. Quite the opposite, it was a moment of being in that feeling silently and without effort for explaining and understanding. Their look was pointed at hands of each other. Silence was breezing between them without tension but more like a good companion. The connection between them was utilizing itself in a mysterious way, and it made them aware and open to the next steps. Get up and go. You mustn’t lose speed. Follow the way. The instructions were clear, and they could’ve heard it clearly inside themselves just as they’ve heard it before. Do not hesitate. Move, the Verontos. They’ve jumped up to their feet quickly grabbing their things.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“I’ll try to reach inside myself,” she replied. And after a few attempts to reach inside herself, she turned to him: “I cannot sense it.”

“It seems to me that we’re in some trouble, aren’t we?”

Without her your journey will end. Both of them heard it inside themselves. Without him, you cannot find a way forward.

The symbols started pulsating and in them produced an effect of great tension which, in fact, did not paralyze them as one would expect. My hand, that’s what must be the key. His thoughts were working together with his intuition as he remembered his experience from the dream-like state he was in before.

“Give me your hand, please,” he asked her politely as he extended his left hand to her.

“Left or right?” she was still feeling tension as a product of the symbol.

“Left,” his face was showing small signs of exertion as tension was draining his energy.

She extended her left hand and put her into his left hand. Sudden shock flowed through them. It was powerful, and it struck them deeply, but it did not hurt them. Their knees shook, and they fell on their knees, yet their hands were still holding together. And then happened another shock just as before. It was really intense. And for the third time. After the third time, both of them fell with their faces on the ground and were breathing heavily.

“Stay with me,” he whispered to her.

“It’s heavy,” she replied in a whispering voice.

“You are strong.”

Their hands were holding together tightly.

“Stay with me,” he whispered again.

She pressed his hand harder and held it tighter.

He tried to get up. He straightened his torso and looked in front of him. In that attempt, he could not hold the balance of himself and then fell on his back while still on his knees. He held her hand tightly. She straightened herself and looked at him while he was on his back.

“You can do this,” she encouraged him.

“I’m feeling too heavy,” his voice was quietly replying.

“I’ll help you,” and she pulled him with great strength. Both of them were still on their knees but now were straightened up with their looks directed forward.

“What now?” both asked at the same time.

Direction is given, and the instruction is spoken. Great strength you will find in the Other. This time both of them knew the way by which they must travel. Tension and shock and physical wobbliness, all of that was gone, and they were again strong as before, although, a little fatigue was still around. A sense of inner direction was pulsating inside both. With all their things, they’ve embarked on the journey that was starting to unravel before them.

Their walk was stable and at a medium pace. They’ve walked for about half a day with pauses for rest and meals and drinking water. The evening was upon them as they decided to take another break. They sat on the ground and took some fresh apples and spring water (courtesy of Agau). While eating and drinking, they were silent, thinking about everything, but most of all, they were focused on the future ahead of them.

The evening light was falling on his face as half of it was covered by the shadow of the tree that was across. She noticed that his face was tired, but he never spoke of it, he never spoke of the tiredness he was feeling. She remembered his anxiety he had when he woke up that time in the forest after his return from the battle. She was thinking that it was hideous nightmares that terrorized him. And the pain and sadness that accompanied him at that time which was not so far ago. His amber eyes focused on the tree standing across the position where he was sitting. A tall walnut tree was there, standing still with no wind that could rustle its leaves. It was a tall tree. He couldn’t see its treetop without extending his neck up to the sky. It was a magnificent tree. His thoughts were circling around. The bark of the tree had caught his attention. He noticed the beauty of the bark. Mottled shades of brown and darkish green moss made an interesting appearance in the evening. He could feel every fraction of the texture of the bark. It caused a tingling sensation in him. He stopped his eating and drinking, stood up and approached the walnut tree. She watched him.

He put his right hand on the bark. With slow movement, he pulled his hand by the bark and felt the same sensation he felt before. The connection was doing its work in him. He could feel the being of the tree without physical contact. But that feeling he could not control. It happened with a purpose he could not understand. Now, as he was there, physically touching the tree, the connection pulsated inside him strongly. He stood there in silence as his hand was traveling all over the bark. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. He breathed deeply, and it brought him relief from all the anxieties he was carrying inside himself.

LMS VII - Week 12 (August 31 - September 6, 2026); Word count: 1231 words

She wished inside her heart his well-being. Her being was reaching inside the connection. There she moved with her spirit towards the walnut tree and shared with him his experience of touch. That reaching happened spontaneously. She felt it and reacted to it. It was for her a really profound experience. In the connection I’m finding myself. Her inner speech was opening her to the truth she sensed and questioned before.

Greetings to you both. It is an honor to meet the Guardians of The Children of The Great Birth. Both of them heard the greeting. It was uttered inside them. Who are you? Her reply was fast and profound, yet she never opened her mouth. She was sitting there with an apple in her hand, looking at the walnut tree where he was. Greetings to you too. His hand was still on the bark of the tree as his experience continued. My friends, I’m the walnut tree you are looking at. The reply of the tree was firm and yet it was friendly, although his size would stun anyone who is looking at him. What if he moves? It would be our end. Her thoughts put up serious questions she could not answer. My friends, do not be afraid. I have no intentions of hurting you. I’m truly glad that you are here with me. My name is Haro. The walnut tree Haro was standing calmly and magnificently while he was with him. Haro showed his respect for both of the Verontos as he moved his branches left and right in a graceful manner, which was his greeting directed to them.

Greetings Haro. She understood the situation and greeted Haro with her inner voice and also remembered the story which he shared with her about Sylvana and everything that happened concerning her. He could easily communicate with Haro because the experience wasn’t new for him at all. Before, he spoke with Sylvana, as he told me. I have so much to learn. Her thoughts were reasonable as they stemmed from her keen mind. Somehow, as time was passing by, her mind became sharper and clearer, adding to the natural keenness of hers. It was always in her, but as the graveness of the calling was upon her, upon them, she was burdened by these heavy emotions and fears she was carrying with her. Her way is unfolding before her and she’ll need to unlock her potentials that are in her. I cannot let my fear dictate the outcome of me. She remembered. And that thought struck her from the inside, it reminded her of her strength, who she is and who she will be. I cannot let my fear dictate the outcome of me. I cannot let my pain dictate the outcome of me. “And I will not subdue to them,” she whispered subtly to herself.

Young Verontos company. It is truly an honor, and I cannot express it enough. Great destiny is being prepared for you. And for us all. The Children will walk the way that He puts before us. And we are all His children. Serious inner tone made Haro and his message more grave but it didn’t infuse fear. It was more like encouragement. Although a puzzling sentence, they felt truth and peace behind it.

This hearty meeting was interrupted by the sudden scream of pain that was followed by the piercing sound of an object that hit something.

“It sounds rather nasty,” he said in a lower voice, “rather nasty company.”

“So what should we do?” she asked.

Hide inside my trunk. Haro replied to them through inner speech.

And at that very moment, in the middle of the Haro’s trunk, an opening was created. It was wide and deep enough to hide both of them, plus there was always room for some extra guests.

“Let’s go inside, now,” her voice hastened.

Both of the Companions went inside. And they’ve sat inside for some time. Screams of pain continued and the piercing sound continued. He suspected that arrows were being shot at someone. As the trunk hid them, they could see everything that was in front of them without being detected. Screams now became closer. Both of them observed what would happen next. Quick running was mixed with heavy breathing and panting. And they came in front of the Haro. Their faces were scared and struck with pain. Fox sat down on the forest floor while the deer remained standing, visibly shaking. The arrow flew and missed the fox and the deer. It missed Haro also. The sound of running was being heard clearly more and more. Both of them felt that they needed to do something. The Verontos cannot sit idly while evil is attacking innocent beings. She was careful not to react unwisely and put herself and himself in danger.

He stood up inside Haro’s trunk and exited towards the fox and the deer. As a consequence of his action, the fox and deer were startled. They were looking at him with suspicion. Deer turned to him to face him with his horns ready for battle. The fox was trembling continuously. Another arrow flew past him and hit the tree next to Haro, but Verontos wasn’t startled at all. She, also, exited the trunk and joined him facing the deer. Although ready for battle, the deer didn’t make any move.

Twigs snapped nearby and the sound of a bow being strung could be heard clearly. Both of the Verontos, the fox and the deer looked in the direction of that sound. All of them were very tense. I hope that we all stay alive in these upcoming moments. His thoughts were clear, and he was ready for whatever would happen next. Two hideous looking hunters with dark bows exited from among the trees inspecting their surroundings. They stood in front of them both and also in front of the fox and the deer. With their dark and hollow eyes, they circled around the area in search of something. What was strange is that they did not react in any way to the Verontos or to the fox or to the deer.

“There’s no one here,” one said in a deep voice.

“Where’s that deer?” another replied to him. “We were on the right track.”

“When I catch that fox, I’ll skin it and make a great trophy out of him. Hahahahaha.”

“That sounds good.”

The conversation between hunters was full of ill intentions. They were making dark plans on how to hurt both deer and fox. From the movements and breathing of them both, it could be easily seen that they were terrified to the core. The hideous looking hunters talked for some time, continued with inspection of the area and left in an unknown direction. She, he, fox and deer stood still for some time after the hunters left.

After they'd calmed down, they went into the unknown direction. The Verontos decided to continue their journey.

Thank you, Haro, for your help. Their thoughts were unison as they thanked him. Take care, both of you. Haro’s reply was subtle and gentle and full of care. They waved to Haro and went forward.

LMS VII - Week 13 (September 7-13, 2026); Word count: 1022 words

II.

Heavy raindrops fell on the rocks that were rising along the way. They slid down and soaked the dust and earth along the way. Continuous falling of the rain, which was heavy at that point, made everything colder and grayer. The leaves of the trees were bending under the heavy blows of the drops. Everything was in a continuous motion. There was no wind, the only sound was that of the rain hitting everything in its path. Rocks became darker as rain gave them one shade more. Moisture was resting on the skin of trees and embraced the skin of the plants that were harmoniously growing along the trees. His extended arm now wasn’t covered by the cover of a cave and the rain was doing its job. Sensation that raindrops produced caused inner movement which resulted in a subtle golden vein on his left forearm that was connected to the symbol.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a smile.

“Enjoying the rain,” he answered back with a subtle smile. “You should try too. It would be a waste if you missed this aquatizing opportunity.”

“Aquatizing?”

“Yes, absolutely aquatizing it is.” His subtle smile became more visible in the gray daylight.

She chuckled softly. In front of her was a small fire surrounded by rocks that made the fireplace localized. Fire enlightened her face and smile of hers was more visible.

He closed his eyes and let the feeling of rain on his hands have its marvelous effect. He felt drops hitting his arm and sliding down his forearm and fingers and hand. They were playing on his arm, all these raindrops were dancing in the hand of the Verontos. Soothingness and calmness were holding him by his hand and he felt connected to himself. Her eyes were focused on the fire that was glowing brightly. The crackling of the wood consumed by the fire had a calming effect on her as she was tired from traveling. She enjoyed the moment of peace. The sound of rain hitting rocks, trees, leaves, puddles on the road, was intensifying itself more and more. It was rather a soothing event rather than frightful, because there was nothing to be afraid of. There were no dangerous winds or thunder or floods.

The tip of the stick with which she pushed burning logs into the fire to make them burn for a little longer was as dark as the night, and pushing made the fire flicker. It was an entertaining activity, and she swung with the stick through the fire and enjoyed her movements.

“I see you’ve found your fun. How is the fire doing?” he asked playfully.

“I think it likes this game.”

“Have you checked that?” he poked her playfully.

“Shouldn’t you ask that the rain?” she poked him back.

He smiled while his arms were extended in the rain.

“Don’t do just arms, go for the whole experience,” her smile was visible as she continued to poke him around.

“Well, that’s not a bad idea.” He took one step out of the cave and into the rain.

“Well, at least you can return here,” her voice was calm.

And he took another step out of the cave and into the rain. Slippery step it was as he almost fell on his back.

“And be careful,” she added from the depth of the cave. He managed to preserve his balance by extending his hands on his side, which helped him to stay stable on wet and slippery ground.

“I’ll be, thank you very much,” he replied with some slight panting after he recovered his stability. You know what. I’ll just sit here on this wet rock in front of me and enjoy this pleasant rain. To him, it seemed like a good plan. Rain was not decreasing, quite contrary, it continued to pour out abundantly with a slight increase in its intensity. ‘And the rain danced in circles and the Verontos was sitting wet. Who shall know, where the dancer is too?’ Hmm... That does sound puzzling. Hmm... What did I want to say by that? Hmm... His thoughts were trying to make good lyrics while his mouth hummed melody for the song. “Should I say dance or... what word rhymes with wet...,” he talked to himself while raindrops dropped on his head and body.

The sound of rain was deafening and the only sound both of them could hear was the sound of their own innerness. Their thoughts, their inner voice, their connection, all that was clear and subtle, and more gentle than the sound of the heavy rain. She was glad that she was inside the cave and near the fire while he enjoyed being wet and in the rain.

“Are you hungry?” her voice broke through the rain.

He turned to her and signalized that he was.

“I have this piece of bread, take it and eat it.” Her hand was holding a medium-sized piece of bread. He was sitting still. “It would be nice if you could take it,” she continued.

“Are you afraid of the rain?” he asked smilingly.

“No, I’m not.”

“Well, you don’t look keen to move into it.”

“Ha-ha, very funny.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I don’t believe you.” She moved into the rain, carrying bread to him. Although at first it was a cold experience, something was different. The coldness of rain turned into warmness and a golden vein on her left arm pulsated. Her symbol was radiating warmness. This is amazing, she thought to herself. Before, the rain would soak me hard, and it would make me sick with all that coughing. But now, something is different. The coldness of the air and of the rain don’t have an effect. And the symbol is keeping me warm. It was rather an astonishing event for her.

His look was fixed on her, and he smiled while he was approaching him. “See?” his voice was excited. “This symbol is doing wonders, I cannot explain them,” he continued.

“Yes, it is truly awesome.”

“Yes, I agree with you.” His head moved in approval, which was expressed by nodding.

LMS VII - Week 14 (September 14-20, 2026); Word count: 1036 words

Raindrops were sliding down her cheeks and she felt movement of every raindrop. Their journey ended at the bottom of her chin and they jumped to the ground. With her eyes closed, a feeling of joy flooded her mind and there was a simple picture. Flowers blooming while being illuminated by the sun and rain showering the flowers. Sensation that flowers received from the sun and rain she felt, and that picture wasn’t just an object to be seen, it was a place where she was, an experience she absorbed. She became more sensitive to colors, to smells, to sounds. The connection... It is... so beautiful... She, indeed, could grasp some angle of the connection, but she was in the same spot as he was, she was a student, learning about everything that happened to her, making herself more acquainted with it all.

A gentle touch on her shoulder interrupted her experience: “Are you okay?”

Her eyes opened: “Yes, yes I am. Why?”

“You are shaking.” His face was serious.

“I’m alright.” Her reply was serious, as she did not feel wrong in any way.

He opened his hand with his palm facing the sky. Raindrops fell into his hand and formed a small quantity of water. She raised her head to the sky. It was grey with clouds scattered all over it.

Her eyes closed again and she saw blooming flower. Its stem was golden brown. Petals of the flower were sapphire blue and its stigma and stamen were warm yellow. Every detail of the flower she could grasp and its life energy. Its life was passing through the flower and all around him. It was like a whirlwind of vitality.

“This flower is beautiful,” her voice fluttered in excitement.

His face was confused as he continued to look at the water in his hand. She opened her eyes and saw his confused face and his look focused on his hand, as if he was looking at something very important. Her hand moved graciously under his hand in a gesture which looked like she was giving him a helping hand. She was supporting his hand and then happened something marvelous that none of them expected.

The water that was in his hand started to rotate itself in some kind of small whirlpool. Both of them watched as it rotated faster and faster. From the middle of the whirlpool, a flower emerged and extended itself. He was now holding a flower in his hand, but it was not some ordinary unknown flower, it was that same sapphire blue flower that she had seen a few moments ago. Amazement filled them both. They couldn’t explain what exactly happened. Two create, together they can make...

“Two create...” Their voices spoke simultaneously as their looks met.

Flower was radiating warmness while the rain was falling on their heads, touching their arms and faces.

“I’m happy,” he continued in a soft, calm voice.

Her look was again centered on the flower in his hand. Our flower is blooming..., echoed in her mind. Her green eyes met again with his amber eyes. And then their eyes focused again on the flower as they went back into the moment of the connection which they'd felt was happening right now between them.

“Our flower is blooming.” Their voices spoke at the same time once again. That “our” made such a strong remark on them that they felt like someone firmly pressed on the spot where the symbol was. Rain drops slid down the petals all the way to the stem and their presence made the petals shinier as light, although dimmed by the clouds, was bouncing of them. Shining sapphire blue petals were a beautiful sight to see. And also the other parts of the flower were a beautiful sight.

“This flower echoes inside of me,” his voice trembled. “It whispers to me,” he continued. His face became pale.

“Are you...” her voice broke off in the middle of the question.

He remained silent as his eyes locked themselves on the flower, as if the flower was hypnotizing him.

She couldn’t get herself to speak. Her green eyes became focused on his pale face.

“It whispers to me about the grief, about loneliness, about the pain we both carry,” his voice continued with its trembling.

Words couldn’t get out of her mouth but in her mind she had a reply for him. At the end of her struggle she managed to speak: “Let our tears become flowers.”

Flower went down into the whirlpool and everything disappeared. His hand was empty. She still held her arm under his. He gently took her hand with his hands and bowed his head deeply into her hand. She bowed her head also. Both of them did that as a sign of respect and deep compassion.

“Let’s get back,” she spoke while slowly raising her head.

“Let’s go.”

Both slowly returned to the cave where they placed themselves around the fire. The rest was something they needed. Rain ceaselessly fell. They drank water and sat in silence. After that, both of them went to sleep. In them were best wishes for the other one. Above the rainy clouds were stars that shone through the night and in those stars a story was written. One long legend of the Verontos. Their bravery, their vulnerability, their deep care. This night was a peaceful night for them as they were sleeping deeply.

That night, in her dreams, she danced with the stars. It was a swift yet gracious dance. She jumped and rotated, and the stars were her companions, dancing around her, giving her honors. “Dancer of the stars!” they exclaimed to her. And his dream carried him throughout the beautiful forest where he felt every leaf, every branch, every movement of the wind. He was deeply touched by that experience. Memories of kind Sylvana were coming back to him as he felt grateful for the forest and everything in it.

I’m grateful for everything. This thought remained in their minds as they were experiencing the dreams they were dreaming. It gave them hope which shone like a candle in the dark. For them, it was light that carried them forward.

LMS VII - Week 15 (September 21-27, 2026); Word count: 1013 words

The sun that broke through the shadows of the cave and the chirping of the birds aroused their sleepy senses. Her eyes opened and saw the light of the new day while his ears were susceptible to the song of birds. Gloomy and dark walls of the caves changed their appearance from grey and monotone to the rocks that had shades of color on them, as some kind of micro painting. His bodily movements became more coordinated as time passed by. It was the same situation as hers. They needed some time before they could get up.

“Good morning,” his smile was subtle.

“And to you too,” she turned on her side towards him.

“Why are the mornings such slow companions?”

“I don’t know, you tell me?”

“As if I would know,” his smile continued.

Morning silence was standing in between them, and they'd taken it all in. In silence, they were breathing, smiling and communicating without a word.

“Are you hungry?” her gentle voice graciously broke the silence.

“Yes, and you?”

“Well, some berries would be a good breakfast.” She slowly rose from her bed and stood up on her feet. While stretching her hands in the air, he heard cracking of the bones.

“What was that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“It sounds like you lost some of your bones by the means of breaking.”

“Don’t you worry,” she smiled at him, “nothing is lost by the means of breaking.”

He smiled back at her as he continued to participate in the process of waking up. After stretching, she exited the cave and went in search for some food. With careful steps, she descended from the entrance to the cave. Rocks were still slippery as the moisture from the rain remained on them.

So, I’m looking for some red berries and also some blue berries. Small shrubs with a wide group of branches. I should look for that... She was planning her trip step by step. She was a good tracer. Near the cave was the beginning of a grassland which contained various shrubs. She entered the grassland which was still wet from the rain. Her steps were slow, she breathed deeply, she took it all in. In her heart was the sky, the grass, the shrubs, the air. All these impressions made an impact on her as she was open to it. The ground beneath the grass was soft, which made her steps easier. Her hands gently touched the tips of green blades of grass. She turned around herself, once, twice and for a third time she did it faster. It made her laugh and she sat on the grass because of the dizziness caused by fast rotation.

Oh noo, I’ll be all wet now... She laughed at herself and at the notion that she would be wet. I mean, there is something fun in being amid wet grass. It makes you one with it. Am I actually greener that way? Her thoughts amused her as she smiled all the way. “This is nice,” she spoke to herself in a gentle, observational tone. The sun set itself on its course as it slowly traveled through the sky. The day became brighter as it moved from dawn forward. She slowly rose to her feet as the transition into day had made her excited.

With slow steps, she continued to move towards the shrubs to check if there were some required berries. She carefully observed shrubs while her hands slowly removed branches in order to find some food. They were thick shrubs. Still nothing, she thought while feeling slight frustration, as she hoped that finding food would be a fast task done with efficiency.

This takes forever, if only I could find something... Her thoughts continued to drive themselves, although she tried to focus herself on the task. Moving from shrub to shrub in the hope that the result would be different, only one outcome happened: she didn’t find any berries. While she was losing her enthusiasm, her look spotted one peculiar shrub which was isolated from the rest. It looked like it had berries that were neither red nor blue. She carefully approached a peculiar shrub and slowly took some berries from it. Their smell was appealing, while their appearance didn’t look any different than other berries. She picked up some quantity of berries and put them inside her sack. This should be enough for both of us for some days even. She was content with her success. Hunger was slowly creeping into her as time passed away. She turned back and slowly departed in the direction of the cave.

After she passed one portion of the trip, hunger became more intense, and she reached into her sack and took some berries, as much as they could fit in her hand, and she ate them joyfully. Something happened because her senses became sharper and her perception broadened. What did these berries do? She could hear heavy flapping of a wings and screeching intensifying more and more. What is this? It did not sound good to her. In the distance she could see some bird closing rapidly. She focused her vision, but it could not identify the bird at first. When the bird came closer she could only grasp its size. It was five times bigger than her. It was a giant hawk. He screeched and flew towards her. She sensed danger and started to run towards the cave. The giant hawk was accelerating itself towards her.

“This is bad, this is really, really bad,” she kept saying to herself while her breath ran short. She was running really fast. Just a little bit more, cave is close, she repeatedly thought, and it gave her a little confidence boost, which kept the stable tempo of her running. The giant hawk didn’t change its direction, he still charged at her. His speed increased, and he was now close to her. His talons were ready to grab and wound her, but at the last moment she threw herself at the ground and the hawk missed her.

Liminality wrote:

Spoiler

Congrats on making it to week 13!

It's nice to see the protagonists having a little rest. c:

The sound of rain was deafening and the only sound both of them could hear was the sound of their own innerness.

I really like this line, it feels very poetic.

All the best with your writing!

Dear @Liminality, thank you so much for stopping by. Do you want some virtual cake? Cookie? Tasty sandwich? Maybe some tea or coffee? Or maybe some juice or water? And thank you for your kind comments and encouragement

LMS VII - Week 16 (September 28 - October 4, 2026); Word count: 1028 words

The hawk continued with his attacks. After he missed her, he circled around her with a great stroke of his wings. She was terrified as she crawled through the grass forward. Hawk, again, tried to grab her with his talons but missed her by a small spot. At that moment, the rear claw of his talon ripped a part of the clothes on her leg and made a small cut. “Aaaah,” she did feel a sudden burst of pain but remained focused and planned her next move. This hawk is way faster than I am. If I try to run. He will catch me and kill me without effort. If I stand up now, I’ll be an easy target for him. What can I do? Her fear was mixed with focus, concentration and a small pulsating pain which source was the cut on her leg. Hawk continued to screech and did not lose his ferocity in attacking.

What can I do? What can I do? Think. THINK! Fast! Her thoughts were rushing through her head as she was quickly scanning the surrounding area in order to find some solution to this deadly situation in which she had found herself. Her eyes caught the sight of a hand-sized round rock that was lying in the grass. She quickly crawled towards the rock while the hawk was preparing for another attack. Just a little bit more. Aaaah, the pain from the leg continued to weaken her bit by bit.

The screeching of the hawk was so intense that she needed to cover her ears while it happened. She quickly took the rock in her hand and quickly rolled to the side in order to dodge an attack from the hawk. Hawk missed her and continued his circling while screeching furiously. Strength and confidence returned to her as she quickly rose to her feet and prepared for the next attack from the hawk. Hawk locked her in and she locked him, too. She got herself ready in a throwing position with a rock she was holding in her hand. She swung with her arm vigorously and threw the rock at the hawk. One good throw at him should distract him away. The rock flew at the hawk, but the hawk quickly caught it with his talons and crushed it to pieces and circled again. Oh, this is very bad. She quickly burst into run again. She sprinted with all her strength and stamina forward.

The flapping of the wings was so loud she couldn’t locate the exact direction from which it came. She ran and ran. A hawk flew behind her and was within an arm's distance of catching her with its talons. It was a definite catch for him. The talons widened as the clutch was ready for the prey and as they positioned themselves around her and closed.

The talons were empty, and the hawk bent his neck to look at them. She wasn’t there. The hawk screeched and looked around with its head while circling again to find her. His wings started to make a more ferocious motion as he became more agitated by the fact that his prey wasn’t there where it would be expected that it would be, that is, in his talons.

The massive body of the hawk flew over the grassland in search of her. It produced such a strong flow of air that green blades of grass were pressed to the ground as a result of that. Strokes of his wings made small vibrations which cumulatively gave the effect of a small earthquake. Little rocks that were on the road next to the grassland were jumping because of those vibrations, such was the strength of the hawk’s wings. Before the agitation, everything was much calmer because it seemed that agitation in a hawk produces a dreading effect. There wasn’t any other animal around.

Screeching continued with a brief interruption of silence that didn’t last longer than a moment. Eyes of the hawk scanned all the grassland area where he encountered her, where he chased her, where he almost got her. His pupils dilated and in that way he could see more shapes, colors and movements. Everything became clearer. He flew to and fro through the grassland. Nothing, there wasn’t anything. She wasn’t there.

After it flew around for a fair amount of time, the hawk landed on the grassland. It was panting a little bit as a result of the exhaustion from flying. His beak was half-open, and he made swift movements with his head left and right. Most of the time his head was oriented in front of him. His talons were slowly clawing themselves inside the dirt beneath the grass. These micro movements of his talons helped him to maintain control over his talons as the feeling of tiredness was increasing. He knew what he had to do. She needs to be in his talons. That was his focus. That’s what kept pushing him forward. His feathers were ruffled by the wind and moisture from the air and were slowly pushed by the faint wind that was blowing on that morning.

Daylight showed the true appearance of that hawk. His neck was slender and his beak at its beginning had more than one sharp edge, it had three sharp tips. The same applied for the lower part of its beak. In all, he had six sharp tips on his beak. With that kind of beak, he could crush an adult male horse within moments. His eyes were strange. At the moment of focus, his pupil would dilate into the shape of a circle and, while he was resting and not focusing, it would position itself in one half of the space of the eye. Half of his eye would then be white and half would be black. His eyes returned to a half black and half white appearance.

His feathers were a strange sighting indeed. At first, they would seem like regular dark brownish feathers, but as time passed on they would start to pale slowly and to change their color toward a skull-like white color mingled with ash gray color.